Hello PHers!!
I need some advice. I'm a Jpen player w/ RPB. My problem is I struggle against allrounders, players who blocks a lot and attacks with slow shots. Creating my own power is not really my strength, I'm more of a counter looper from mid distance which relies on opponents power in order to create a powerful shot of my own..a spin-drive as others call it. But when it come to allrounders, my shots suddenly are too weak and inconsistent, also my timing is off that I end up running around just trying to put the ball on the other side of the net. They really destroy my rhythm.
My strategy is usually open up first and open up strong as longer rallies put me in a disadvantage. But somehow these guys are able to block my 3rd or 2nd ball attacks and puts the ball close to the net rather somewhere near the end line of the table. This is where I screw up, my first option is still try to counter the ball, but I just can't find the right timing which makes my attack relatively weak and easy for my opponent to block to the other direction, this is where me running around starts. My second option is to just block it, but the ball returned much weaker where they are able to counter it. And finally I just tried to flat hit the ball, this has more success rate when it went it but way too inconsistent.
I was hoping you guys can give me some tips on how to handle such players. Thanks.
Hello genrel001,
In full disclosure, I have a friend I have regularly played and he sounds like what you call an allrounder. I have lost a ridculous amount of games to him, partly because I was forcing myself to learn RPB and partly because I neglected my FH loop. Past 2 weeks or so, my FH loop is coming back and my RPB is getting more consistent. 2 weeks ago I beat him 3-0 although he averaged 8 points or so per game. My record against him is 3 wins and 50 losses (I'm exaggerating, but you get the point).
He is consistent and steady and returns the ball. When opportunity presents itself, he will FH smash. He is a JPen TPB (but slowly has tried to learn RPB with his JPen).
Almost guarantee point winners for me has been vs him:
1. Serve a rocket to his BH, he returns to my FH, I FH stroke to his FH. Although he has speedy footwork, most of the time I will win the point right then. If he returns to my BH, I RPB punch down the line usually for a winner.
2. Serve short sidetop to his FH, he pops up, i smash. Although it sounds like you are not a smasher and if I understood you, you think you would not be able to open with a loop as you are a counter-looper.
Perhaps for now, just look to return the ball like the mantra in my signature. Don't look to win the point outright. Just return the ball. He blocks it back, just return it.
What I suggest though is to vary placement. Try to move your allrounder partner side to side and in and out (short and long).
3. I 2nd ball RPB slow heavy topspin to his BH. My friend cannot handle those. I am not that good at a slow heavy topspin FH loop yet. But i would target his BH as well.
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Work on initiating your attacks. By 'attacks', you don't have to try to win the point outright, just start your loops be it RPB or FH. Make sure you can land them in. At this point in the training process, you want to be sure you can make your shots and not lose the point on a missed shot. It took me a year to get a feel for RPB. During that year, I missed many a shot.
If your opponent wins with a killer shot, at least you didn't miss and give him the point outright. He had to earn it. Once you get consistent in returning the ball, then look to build on that and attack a little more aggressively. Don't look to win on one shot alone, work on playing steady. Get back into ready position after your shot. Anticipate the ball and look to attack, again not to win the point, but attack to land the ball in as well as being a little aggressive.
These tips are easy for me to say and perhaps tough for you to do. Trust me, I know the allrounder type. My friend has double digit wins over me, and I only have 3 wins off of him. It is a tough process to the ego and confidence, but finally my strokes are getting more consistent and I am finally giving him a tougher time.
You say you cannot generate power on your own and need to counter-loop to use your opponent's loop power. Perhaps off the table, shadow more and be sure your looping form is correct and slowly but surely progressively speed your stroke. Push off with legs, twist waist, and follow through. For extra power/speed, I whip my arm, although I am not a real looper and didn't train it properly, I tend to loop with my arm instead of my whole body. I have been shadowing slowly and then after a minute or so i progressively speed it up. So if your form may be the cause of your lack of power generation.
Also perhaps you lack confidence in your strokes and therefore there's no power? Up until 2 or 3 months ago, I had no confidence at all during gameplay on my FH loop. For the past year I actively trained RPB over my FH loop. I was hesitant to FH loop during a game and my opponents spotted it easily. It takes time, but "Success breeds confidence and confidence breeds success." Keep at it!
On the table, find a partner who will just block for you. Start looping slowly, and speed it up along the way. Focus on form. You willl be able to generate power/speed at some point. May not be soon enough for you though, but we all crawled before we walked and walked before we ran.
Good luck in your training and truly hope these help!
